Norovirus detector on the horizon

Liza Mayer  September 4, 2018  

A tool that would detect norovirus in oysters prior to harvesting could be in the market by Spring of 2019.

Dr Jim Powell, CEO of the BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences in Campbell River, British Columbia, is developing the new tool.

Powell says growers often don't know if their oysters are contaminated until after the shellfish are harvested and packaged. He hopes the molecular detection tool will help prevent the spread of the illness and reduce the financial impact on growers if farms are closed due to norovirus, CBC News reported.

The new test will not replace testing by the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency but could allow growers in BC to delay harvest until conditions are safe